'The Roundup: Punishment' surpasses 10 million admissions in Korea

"The Roundup: Punishment" surpassed 10 million admissions on Wednesday, according to data from the Korean Film Council.

"The Roundup: Punishment" posters at a theater in Seoul. The movie surpassed 10 million admissions on Wednesday, according to the Korea Film Council. [YONHAP]

"The Roundup: Punishment" surpassed 10 million admissions on Wednesday, according to data from the Korean Film Council.

It has been 22 days since the film premiered in local theaters.

The recent milestone makes “The Roundup” series the most successful movie franchise in Korea, with three of its four films selling over 10 million tickets. “The Roundup: Punishment” is the series’ fourth installment. Only its first film, “The Outlaws” (2017), did not pass the 10-million-ticket mark.

“The Roundup” is a crime action series that has gained popularity for its good-cop-beats-all storyline and powerful action scenes featuring a lead character played by actor Don Lee, also known in Korea as Ma Dong-seok.

The most recent installment, “Punishment,” is set in the Philippines, where Ma faces off with Baek Chang-ki, head of an illegal gambling organization, portrayed by actor Kim Moo-yul. Actor Park Ji-hwan reprises the role of the Korean Chinese ex-gangster Jang Yi-soo.

BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]